Armor for base-ball players.



W. J. SULLIVAN. ARMOR FOR BASE BALL PLAYERS.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 7. 1908.

Patented June 22, 1909.

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UNITED STATES PATENT @FFTQE.

. WILLIAM J. SULLIVAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ARMOR FOR BASE-BALL PLAYERS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM J. SULLIVAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Armor for Base-Ball Players, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to armor for base ball players, and pertains particularly to flexible padded body protectors for the player known as the catcher.

The object of my invention is to provide a body protector that will more effectually resist the force of impact of a ball, and which will better conform to the contour of the body, thus avoiding displacement and interference with the free action of the wearer.

A further object is to construct the pro tector and attach same to the body in such manner that the front thereof slants toward the back from the center on each side, thus deflecting the ball and avoiding the full force thereof, and also forming an air space between the protector and the body of the wearer to serve as an air cushion.

A still further object is to provide a depending portion which is padded and quilted transversely of the main body portion and flexibly connected therewith, whereby such depending portion is stiffened vertically and is adapted to hang loosely upon the main body portion in position to protect the lower parts of the trunk of the wearer, and overcome the tendency to bend outwardly and uncover such lower parts.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention applied to the person; Fig. 2 is a back view of the protector, Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same on the lines 33 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the lines 44 of Fig. 2.

My invention includes, generally, a body protector comprising a main body portion, and shoulder extensions, a depending flap upon the lower end of the main body portion, and suitable straps and fastenings adapted to hold the main body portion snugly at the sides of the wearer and the shoulder extensions upon his shoulders. The protector is formed of flexible front and back pieces stitched in parallel seams to form pockets which are stuffed with suitable padding ma terial. The main body portion is divided into two sections by a medial vertical seam,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 7, 1908.

Patented June 22, 1909.

Serial No. 442,398.

and the pockets therein are formed horizontally and extend from the central seam to the outer edges of the protector.

The depending flap is :llexibly attached to the main body portion, and the pockets or quilting therein are arranged vertically to impart stiffness thereto for thepurposes hereinafter described.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 designates the main body portion of my protector, and 2 indicates the extensions adapted to cover the shoulders of the wearer. As shown in the drawings, said portions are formed of front and back pieces 3 and 4, respectively, of suitable flexible fabric, such as duck or canvas, and shaped to cover the abdomen, chest and shoulders of the wearer. The said pieces are stitched together by a medial vertical seam 5, and also stitched transversely to form a plurality of horizontal pockets 6, which are stuffed with suitable padding material 7, and closed with a reinforcing binding 8 stitched to the outer edges of the proteeter.

Flexibly secured to the main body portion 1, I provide a depending portion 9, made of similar material as the main body portion, but provided with vertically arranged pockets, adapted to impart rigidity to the same and overcome the tendency of protectors to bend outwardly in use, and thus uncover the lower parts of the body which it is designed to protect. The protector thus described, is secured to the body by harness hereinafter described, in such manner that the sides of the main body portion 1 are held tightly at the sides of the wearer, whereby it is bent upon the medial seam which projects in front of the body, as shown in Fig. 4, thus forming an air space or cushion, and presenting a retreating surface adapted to deflect the full force of a ball.

The harness for securing my protector in position comprises the upper and lower straps 10 and 11, respectively, and the vertical adjustable medial strap 12, and the back plate 13.

As shown in the drmvings, the upper straps 10 are secured to the shoulder portions at their upper ends 14 and are united to the medial strap 12 at the middle of the back of the wearer. Said medial strap is adjustably secured to the plate 13 by the buckle A. The lower strap 11 is secured at one side of the main body portion of the protector at B and is passed through slits in the plate 13 and is fastened to the opposite side of the protector by the snap-hook 15 and ring 16.

It will be apparent that the harness thus described will secure the shoulder portions and sides of the main body portions snugly against the body of the wearer, and that it may be adjusted to conform to the size and shape of the wearer.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to be secured by Letters Patent, is

A body protector comprising ahorizontally padded and stiffened main body portion and shoulder extensions having a medial longitudinal flexible oint, a vertically padded and stiffened depending portion, upper and lower fastening straps adjustably connected through a plate and medial strap at the back of the wearer, whereby the shoulder extensions and side edges of the body portion are held against the body and the front of the protector in a buckled and protruding position upon its medial horizontal joint, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM J. SULLIVAN.

Witnesses:

N. P. MoKNEw, R. H. YOUNG. 

